“Start Quote

Opinions have been expressed which change the safety and security context”

End QuoteDavid GrevembergGlasgow 2014 chief executive

The 30-storey structures were built in the mid 1960s and the original eight tower blocks housed more than 4,000 people. The demolitions will now be rescheduled.

Risk fears

Opponents had questioned the message the demolition would send and described the plans as insensitive to former residents as well as asylum seekers currently living in the sixth block.

In a statement, Games chief executive David Grevemberg said: "We made it clear from the outset the absolute priority was safety and that this event would only happen during the opening ceremony if it was safe to do so.

"Over the past few days it has become clear that opinions have been expressed which change the safety and security context.

Analysis

The question now is why there wasn't further consultation with the local residents and the people of Glasgow before this plan to demolish the flats was made.

The other question is why is Glasgow 2014 announcing this on the eve of a milestone tomorrow, 100 days to go until the start of the Games.

This is news you'd think they would not be looking to release ahead of this milestone.

When the announcement was first made some people viewed it as a little strange but perhaps a stroke of genius.

Others found it completely bizarre and crass. Now that the plan's been withdrawn, the furore surrounding this issue will continue.

"Glasgow 2014, Games partners and key stakeholders, including Police Scotland and Glasgow Housing Association, are not prepared to allow what was proposed to be a positive act of commemoration to create risk for all concerned, including the communities of north east Glasgow."

'Dignity' call

Former Scottish Socialist MSP Carolyn Leckie, who launched the petition, had been due to meet with Glasgow 2014 representatives to discuss the plan on Tuesday.

The petition called for the flats to be brought down with "dignity" and not as part of a ceremony spectacle.

Reacting to the decision, Ms Leckie told BBC Scotland's Sunday Politics Scotland programme: "It's the sensible decision. Because the organisers have changed their minds, presumably there's been some consensus developed behind the scenes between all the arms involved in this.

“Start Quote

All we're arguing about is one aspect of the opening ceremony”

End QuoteAlex SalmondFirst Minister

"I asked the chairman of the board to reconsider its decision in order to take account of the resources and scale of the operation that would now be required, and one which would be out of proportion to the friendly atmosphere sought by the board for the Commonwealth Games."

A GHA spokesman said: "As we have stated all along, public safety is our absolute priority. The demolitions will be rescheduled and we will continue to liaise and take the advice of the police and our demolition contractor."

"But there's also the point about unifying - we're 100 days from the Commonwealth Games, we're about to have the greatest celebration that Scotland has seen of sport, and culture is part of that. And all we're arguing about is one aspect of the opening ceremony.

"This is one of the few Games in recent history which is coming in on time and on budget."

Local Labour MSP Patricia Ferguson said she was relieved by the decision and the Conservative sports spokeswoman Liz Smith described it as a "victory for common sense".

Comment number 287.

Good to see so much passion from Scots regarding this issue and I hope the Commonwealth games opens up the beauty of Scotland to the whole World that will be watching.

I also hope all Scots realise how much Westminster has taken them for a ride over the past 5 decades and hope this will reflect when they have the one off opportunity to vote to be in charge of their own destiny in September.

Comment number 286.

outsidethebox14th April 2014 - 6:52

a bad idea when thought about and dropped reassures me that things can be changed only if people complain enough in time and with good reason. my complaint was/is about the dust pollution this demolition would have caused and will still cause whenever it happens.

BBC links

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.